Synoptic healing stories : a relevant Biblical paradigm for Christian Dalit theology

The thesis offers and explores the synoptic healing stories as a relevant biblical paradigm for Dalit theology in order to help redress the lacuna between Dalit theology and the praxis of the Indian Church. Through a critical analysis of Dalit theology possible reasons for the practical inefficacy of Dalit theology are postulated. The argument for the synoptic healing stories as an appropriate biblical paradigm is made on the basis of their ability to resonate and address the issue of discrimination based on notions of purity and pollution (which are argued to be foundational for the discrim ination against the Dalits), as well as their potential to offer a praxis-oriented corrective to Dalit theology.

As an alternative biblical paradigm the synoptic healing stories offer scope for constructing an ethical framework, which can aid both a Christian response to discrim ination and an engagem ent in socio-political action. Four features prevalent in the stories, Touch (understood as defiance of the purity code), Faith (prevalent in the form of initiative and persistence), Compassion and Conflict / Confrontation constitute this ethical framework. Through an analysis of the interplay of these features in select stories certain principles of practice, applicable to the Dalit situation, are identified. An integral aspect of m ost of these practical principles is the imperative to contest any form of consent to the prevailing status quo.

W hen deriving principles for action from the synoptic healing stories corresponding examples from Dalit secular politics, which have significantly influenced the struggle for Dalit liberation and contributed to social transform ation, are drawn in order to endorse the practicability of these principles. In the light of their ability to: a) espouse issues integral to Dalit liberation, b) provide relevant paradigms for action, and c) offer a constructive critique of Dalit theology, it is concluded that the synoptic healing stories can be a relevant biblical paradigm for Dalit theology, which can help reduce the lacuna between Dalit theology and praxis.